DJ LeMahieu
Looking for an infielder this Cyber Monday?
Look no further than DJ LeMahieu. LeMahieu has spent the last seven seasons with the Colorado Rockies, providing five consecutive all-star caliber seasons beginning in 2014. In that time span, LeMahieu has proven to be an elite fielder by winning three Gold Glove awards. Despite having an injury rattled season, 2018 was his best defensive season. That season, he saved 18 runs, according to FanGraphs, which was the best in MLB for a second baseman.
LeMahieu flashes a nice bat as well, amassing a career .298 BA and .352 OBP. In 2016, despite not making it to the All-Star game, LeMahieu hit .348 with a .416 OBP. Also, according to Baseball Savant, in the last four seasons, LeMahieu is in the top 15% of baseball in HITS (3x), R (4x), AVG (3x), and OBP (2x).
Given that LeMahieu had a down season in 2018 because of injuries, LeMahieu’s price has dropped. The 30-year-old will, therefore, be looking to prove himself in 2019, and will not command as much money as, say, Manny Machado.
Brian Dozier
Another infielder many teams might mistakenly overlook this Cyber Monday is Brian Dozier. Like his Minnesota Twins teammates, Dozier had the worst season of his career in 2018. This has overshadowed just how good Brian Dozier really is.
While Dozier is no LeMahieu in terms of fielding, LeMahieu is no Dozier when it comes to hitting. Since 2013, his second season in MLB, Brian Dozier is in the top 20% of MLB in RUNS (4x), 2B (2x), 3B (3x), HR (4x), RBI (2x), BB (3x) and SB (2x). In his last six seasons, Dozier averages 26+ HR per season, smacking 42 dingers in 2016 alone.
Like DJ LeMahieu, 2018 was by far Brian Dozier’s worst season. This is, therefore, the best time to sweep in and offer Dozier, a potential game-changing player, an opportunity to prove himself for a bargain.